The Library's 2015 fiscal year saw an all-time high for number of visits. 826,217 people entered our doors – more than 2,200 people every day. This increase was reflected in program attendance, which also reached record numbers at all levels: children's, teens and adults.
Connect-Engage-Enrich: Library patrons will see these words often in the coming years, as they are the focus of our new strategic plan, approved in July by the Library Board of Trustees. The Library will focus on ways to:
- Connect people with information and offer opportunities for enjoyment and personal growth.
- Engage people in discovery, learning and the community.
- Enrich the quality of life in Iowa City through diversity, imagination and creativity.
Collaboration is one of the values highlighted in the strategic plan, with partnerships playing significant role in library activities. Digital Johnson County, a sharing agreement with Coralville Public Library and North Liberty Community Library that combines all of our eBook and digital audiobook collections, is our most recent partnership. Residents of all three communities and all of our contracting areas have access to the same electronic collections.
Several changes were implemented last year to connect people with materials faster, including increasing the number of holds a person can have from eight to ten. This, combined with the ability of patrons to reserve items currently on the shelves, accounts for a ten percent increase in holds overall.
One patron championed the change because it is challenging to browse when she visits the library with her young children. "I really appreciate being able to pick books up at the front so I don’t disturb other people. This service you offer makes my life so much better and easier."
Thank you for another great year, and we hope ICPL continues to help CONNECT you with the information and resources that ENGAGE and ENRICH your life.